About the Author

Nancy Shonka Padberg

Ms. Padberg is a former Fortune 500 Times Mirror executive, Integrated Marketing Communications Vice President and MBA graduate from the Graziadio School of Business & Management at Pepperdine University. Ms. Padberg has over 17 years of publishing and marketing expertise, served on several boards, is a guest speaker, published author, former Big 12 golfer and resides in Santa Monica.

Best Boomer Towns Columns

While overall entrepreneurship in the U.S. is down, there has been an increase among boomers. The increase is partially due to financial need. While the U.S. unemployment rate among boomers was significantly lower (4.9 percent) than the national average (7 percent) in November, boomers suffered financially during the Great Recession, losing 25 to 28 percent of their median net worth, according to a 2013 study by Pew Charitable Trusts.